Nordstrom to Transition to Environmentally Friendly Shopping Bags and Boxes

Seattle-based Nordstrom, Inc. announced that it will introduce new environmentally friendly packaging options for customers throughout 2008. Fully recyclable shopping bags and gift boxes and a reusable shopping tote will be available to customers as the year progresses.

The company's paper shopping bags will evolve to be 100 percent recyclable. Currently, the bags' propylene handles are not recyclable but new bags in the works will have sturdy cotton handles which are recyclable. The retailer will gradually roll out the new, recyclable bags from April through September as its supply of existing bags runs out.

Additionally, Nordstrom will transition to fully recyclable gift boxes. During the holiday season, the company will introduce new gift boxes made of 100 percent recycled paper stock that is 30 percent post-consumer waste. The silver foil on the current gift boxes will be converted to a matte silver ink, making them fully recyclable. Boxes will transition during October and November as the supply of existing boxes runs out.

Finally, on March 15, Nordstrom will offer reusable shopping totes in its West Coast stores initially. The totes, which feature a cityscape illustration by famed artist Ruben Toledo, zip into a small rectangle case (6 inches x 7 inches x 1 inch) for easy storage, and will be available in Accessories departments for $21.95. Nordstrom plans to offer the metallic brushed linen totes with attached case at its stores across the country throughout the year.

"We know our customers care about the environment and this is an effort to serve them better and reduce our impact," said Erik Nordstrom, president of stores for Nordstrom. "We will continue to look for ways we can be a better corporate citizen."

Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation's leading fashion specialty retailers, with 157 stores in 28 states. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 103 full-line stores, 50 Nordstrom Racks, two Jeffrey boutiques and two clearance stores. Nordstrom also serves customers through its online presence at http://www.nordstrom.com/ and through its catalogs. Nordstrom, Inc. is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol JWN.